The rise and fall of Cheese in the Trap

By now, you’ve probably already heard plenty about the brouhaha surrounding Cheese in the Trap, which we haven’t commented on too much here—mostly because the controversy started off at a relatively low rumble with claims that were, for the large part, difficult to substantiate or confirm.

But I’ve been keeping an eye on the developing headlines, and somewhere in the past couple days, it feels like the controversy reached a tipping point and is now gaining momentum and intensity, rather than dying down. I’d wanted to wait for more official statements and facts to come out before talking about it, and now that we’ve had multiple statements from key parties, including Park Hae-jin, it seems a good time to weigh in.

Reading the Cheese recap comments, it seems like most fans are already aware of the issues so I won’t go into comprehensive detail, but to give the general overview: Fans have always been critical of Cheese deviating from its original material, but for the most part, after the show premiered to praise and massive ratings, those comments calmed down for a while. However, about halfway through the show, the complaints began growing again, coupled with the increasing disgruntlement over the drama’s curious shortening of star Park Hae-jin’s screentime (playing Yoo Jung, but you know this already), which has coincided with the drastic increase in screentime for his co-star Seo Kang-joon (Baek In-ho).

We’d all noticed this, I’m sure, but it feels like things really blew up this week after Episodes 13 and 14 aired, and our lead actor was hardly in them.

A lot of conspiracy theories are floating around for why this might happen, but I have to admit at first I disregarded them as overreaching by upset fans. After all, I don’t see any problem with a drama deviating from source material to be its own thing, and viewers can’t expect or demand that a show re-create a webtoon perfectly. That said, the longer this controversy stretched, the more confused I got, and now I have to join the chorus of puzzled viewers wondering if there isn’t something to the rumors—I’m not one for conspiracy theories, but this whole situation is so bizarre that there aren’t many explanations otherwise.

I don’t actually find the main plot points of the drama to be too problematic on paper—for instance, In-ho struggling to reclaim his life, Jung and Seol arguing and making up—but it’s a case where the balance is all wrong. By skewing the focus so drastically, the show has altered the effect of the story in a way that now feels unnatural to its intent.

It came out that there were significant edits made to the shot footage, which was markedly different from the footage that was aired, which happened to favor a focus on Seo Kang-joon over Park Hae-jin. My jaw dropped to read reports that Park Hae-jin hadn’t been invited to the show’s own wrap party or reward vacation. (He clarifies this in the interview below.) There are rumors that Park Hae-jin finished shoots on the show a full five days in advance of Kim Go-eun or Seo Kang-joon, which is mind-boggling.

On a related note, I do also have to issue a mea culpa of sorts for Episode 13, because at the time I wrote the recap, I wasn’t aware of the full behind-the-scenes controversy, and therefore merely thought that while it was curious that Park Hae-jin was getting so little to do, I was sure—so totally confident—that the drama was just on a minor detour that there was no way he was going to be shafted in the long run. Because of course that’s how it should be! Who writes a drama and cuts out the hero at the end?

The story of Cheese in the Trap was so clearly about Seol and Jung, with In-ho playing a supporting role, and so I presumed In-ho would get his big moment and then fade away, like Copycat Min-soo and Stalker Young-gon. I had too much faith in the show to consider that anything else might happen, but after reading through the massive flood of new articles currently floating around in the internet ether, I’m concerned that I was too optimistic, and that the show might not right its course.

On February 24, webtoon writer Soonkki wrote publicly on her blog about the production not consulting her about the plot after Episode 6. She stated that the show contacted her later about the last two episodes, then disregarded her requests not to write a certain ending, lest it overlap too much with her own plans for the webtoon’s ending, which is yet to come. She wrote, “Considering that the medium is different, I’d wanted the drama to have a different feel from the original. However, it was reported that the drama was ‘faithful to the original.’ While the drama was being produced to be faithful to the original, I did not receive even one call, and I don’t know what plot will be produced.”

And that brings us to today, with new interviews with Park Hae-jin asking him for his thoughts on the matter. He is diplomatic but somewhat forthcoming, enough that we can read between the lines. I always find Korean stars to be so excessively polite and image-conscious that they hardly say anything in interviews, and therefore you know things must be really bad for them to say anything negative about their projects or the people they’ve worked with. (Mostly, it’s starting to look like PD Lee Yoon-jung must be nuts, and Park Hae-jin is a class act. PD Lee is getting a firestorm of flak right now, with Park Hae-jin being inundated with public sympathy. As this is also my sentiment, I have no problems with the current tide of public opinion.)

At the time that the drama’s reward vacation plans were announced, Park was asked about it and replied that he’d never heard anything about it. This time he clarified, “This is something I think I have to explain clearly. Because of my schedule, I told them in advance that I wouldn’t be able to go, and I think that’s why they didn’t contact me. Later I heard about the reward vacation’s time and location through the news. As I said, I didn’t know anything about it… The next day at an event, I was told, ‘I tried to tell you the plans, but the news came out first.’ If I’d heard [the talk] that I didn’t go because I was hurt over the drama, I think I would have just gone. It’s a situation that got misrepresented through misunderstanding.”

Park was asked about certain complaints about the drama character not living up to the webtoon character, and it sounds like Park himself wasn’t happy with the characterization.

Park Hae-jin: “It’s possible the drama viewers would think that. In my family, my noona and I have read the webtoon, while my brother-in-law and mother haven’t. Those who haven’t read it ask me, ‘Why is Yoo Jung doing that?’ and I explain it to them. There’s no need to take the webtoon directly as is, but in the drama there’s a connecting flow and you need to create plausibility. There’s a slight disconnected feeling, and in some parts it could be like ‘fishing’ [bait-and-switching] to viewers. From the viewer’s standpoint, you need to be able to sympathize and relate.”

He added, “If the plot interferes with plausibility or is unable to be understood, you can’t watch the drama. There are parts I’m disappointed about. There are parts where the feeling between what we shot and what aired is different.”

He said, “There are things I’m disappointed with regarding the screentime and editing. But even being the lead character, depending on the episode your emphasis could be greater or lesser. Truthfully, I don’t think the real problem is the screentime or editing. The biggest issue is that my character, Yoo Jung, has changed. He carries hidden scars that he can’t show to others. He smiles to cover that up, and shows a bright face. There are certain scenes that are necessary to show the characters’ internal and external sides. But in the drama, they were different from the original. I was disappointed in this point. I chose Cheese in the Trap because of Yoo Jung’s duality, with his sweet and chilling sides.”

“Past the first half of the series, this side of Yoo Jung wasn’t revealed much. Thus the character’s very essence was weakened, and changed. More than the shortening of my screentime because of the editing, I’m just so disappointed in the character faltering.”

“I really wanted to take on the role of Yoo Jung, but I’m disappointed that I wasn’t able to show something more. And I’m also sorry to writer Soonkki of the original.”

A source from his management’s side said, “When he agreed to take the role, he only had one condition. That they not shatter the original. He only wanted for the characters’ personalities and situations to be explained adequately. Now only Episodes 15 and 16 remain. Park Hae-jin’s part is small, but he put forth his best effort. He mentioned that he’d be a ‘scene stealer.'” Also: “From Episode 10 onward, we asked the producers constantly to explain. But all they said was that they were in talks with Soonkki.”

What about the ending? Park said, “I don’t know how the ending will be. There are a lot of instances where we filmed things that didn’t air, so even I will have to watch the broadcast to know. But since it’s a drama I appeared in, I hope it will wrap up well.”

“Because filming has already wrapped, I can only wait to see how the director edited things. It’s upsetting. I worked hard as the actor in the lead, but I’m sad I couldn’t show more.”

One source with the drama said, “The original [story] has completely crumbled. Episodes 15 and 16 contain events that are incomprehensible.”

Park seems to be unhappy with PD Lee Yoon-jung’s direction, though he seemed careful not to badmouth her. Regarding the constant changes to the script, he said, “There were a lot of revisions made on set, to the extent that a script being complete became meaningless. I heard that’s her style.”

He described how PD Lee didn’t seem that concerned with sticking to the original material, and would sometimes ask why it was a problem. His interviewer asked if the new parts—the scenes the drama created that weren’t in the original—were the problem. He replied, “[The drama] didn’t capture the parts that are in the webtoon well, either. I’d like to ask the director once, why she did that. I don’t know what is still to come, but I’d still like to ask that.”

“When I watched the broadcast, Yoo Jung didn’t appear very much. I’d like to ask [the director] why. It’s not only the scenes I filmed, but there were child parts that were entirely skipped, and the emotional lines between Yoo Jung and his father, and parts where we could have explained more and still been insufficient, but got removed. There were things that didn’t get filmed, but even things we filmed were edited out. So I’d like to ask that myself, what the reason was.”

Park’s management company, WM Company, stated, “The viewers’ reactions are already known, and we’re extremely disappointed about the screentime issue. We just don’t understand why things that were already filmed were cut out. There are major scenes for Yoo Jung that were shot that weren’t included. [He/we] expressed extreme opposition to the current plot, but [they] did not accept any of it.”

He was asked if he’s satisfied about what’s aired. He replied, “To be honest, it would be a lie to say I’m 100% satisfied. The reason I confirmed Cheese in the Trap at the very start when the director, writer, or anything else hadn’t been decided was the because of the strength of the original, and my trust in the webtoon. Right now, I have nothing to trust in.”

Even so, a source with WM Company and the production staff did give an interview on the 26th stating that rumors of discord between Park Hae-jin and PD Lee were completely groundless and “pointless rumors.”

Meanwhile, through this all, PD Lee Yoon-jung has remained quite tight-lipped, only saying in one phone interview, “You’ll have to talk to the drama’s team leader, not me.” Also, “I can’t really talk about it, so I don’t plan to give an interview.”

She told one reporter, “I’ll talk about it later, in other circumstances. That means I’ll tell you if we meet on personal terms.” That is to say, off the record.

Park did express gratitude for the response to his role: “I’m thankful for receiving love beyond my expectations. I don’t know if I was able to bear the weight of the webtoon. Rather than bearing it, there were parts that were incomplete. I did my best with the situation I was given. I’ll work hard on what was lacking to show a better side in the future. I’ll return having grown more.”

“I think I’ve changed a little through doing this drama, about doing my best to protect the character. I had thought that an actor just has to do a good job on set, and get along with the other actors and staff without trouble. But it doesn’t seem that’s all there is to it.”

February 26, 2016 at 12:22 AM

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Exactly what I wanted to ask.
I think lovers of the art of story-telling are askance at this.

Also, this is not the time for SKJ fans to be happy. He is getting a lot of suspicion and hate over this. Knetz are saying he has a "sponsor" and that's why scenes which PHJ filmed were cut and refilmed with Inho in the course of three days after PHJ left.

I'm not sure if it's his fault so I feel bad he is getting hit with the backlash.

February 26, 2016 at 1:40 AM

February 26, 2016 at 4:45 AM

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WORD✋ WORD
Im personally not a fan of either but i really loved Jung 's unique character and the unique story but it's has turned to crap.i more disappointed because of what this show was 1-8 and could have been but has failed to be.i feel horrible for us viewers and the author because it's such a waste, it could have been among the best dramas to ever grace dramaland but no.

February 26, 2016 at 1:42 AM

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+1...
I'm not a fan girl of PHJ or SKJ ... During all these internal fights not just jung all the three main characters have lost its credibility... plot makes no sense and original is lost... I only feel sad for sonkii...its totally not professionalism to sabotage a wonderful story with internal fights like this....

February 26, 2016 at 2:54 AM

February 26, 2016 at 3:36 AM

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but there wasn't even a fight there, just a story and an actor's role (among others) being steadily eroded and twisted until it was almost unrecognisable.

The ruining of the drama wasn't as the result of a fight, it was the result of the PD's/whoever's unilateral decisions. It's only a fight now that Soonkki AND Park Hae-jin have decided enough is enough, and disclosed just how they were treated. They didn't do anything to ruin the drama, it's not their fault at all.

February 26, 2016 at 3:01 AM

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Exactly I like skj more after this show I like the character Baek in-ho however the story was supposed to be about Jung and Seol. There are so many scenes I wanted from Jung as a character that I didn't get. I wanted to see more interactions with his father, more explanations for his behavior, possible character development ect., ect. But we haven't truly gotten any of that. To be sincere all the problems that are currently being addressed in the show could have been solved much much earlier, they shouldn't have been left for the last minute.

February 26, 2016 at 5:12 AM

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Have you watched King of Dramas, drama world is harsh!!! and this sponsor have powers, it is in the high ups, they can decide where the story is going, even on running drama. They can decide the ending as they wish too. Be afraid, be very afraid of the ending

February 26, 2016 at 6:20 AM

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We definitely got played. Funny we had this discussion few episodes back that the show did not deliver its premise for several episodes, and then it just as if we are on shipping wars, when we (now for sure) know that we were aware that the show cheated us on its story.

February 26, 2016 at 6:46 AM

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I find it very interesting that this show started to go wrong (with InHo taking Jung's place in key scenes, and InHo's character becoming less violent, more soft and likeable, and InHo and his (frankly juvenile) problems taking center stage) right after the holiday break. Wasn't that when we started hearing more about Entourage, the following show that also features Seo Kang Joon? It sounds like Cheese in the Trap is being turned into one big infomercial for Entourage.

February 26, 2016 at 8:23 AM

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@skelly
I think it was started going in different direction since episode 9 tbh. I watched ep. 1-8 diligently like a good student. downloaded the ost, typing the ost's lyrics in english, because every details of citt seems pretty telling on the characters. Re-watched the episodes to see what I have missed. And then when I had the OST and the lyrics, re-watched it again while looking at the lyrics to make sense of the scenes more. It was pretty satisfying, and CITT really delivered.

But, episode 9-14 they started to changed shift, it was very slowly in the beginning of ep 9-10. But, I agree that it went full force in the last two episode after the holiday. If it the rumor is true that they do this for SKJ's role in the next TvN drama, how do they feel now that their plan is backfired. Now, even SKJ got lots of hates from Knetizen, some malicious rumors of him having sponsor etc started to go round. This is really such a mess, of a very VERY promising drama in the beginning.

February 26, 2016 at 1:13 AM

February 26, 2016 at 1:27 PM

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Ditto!

I didn't want to believe that it was happening. I felt like surely the PD would zoom the focus back to Jung, but ouch.

Scenes cut, even the ones where he was a kid - and they had already shot them?!? Why would they trash those? And then to give In-Ho key scenes that were Jung's in the original webtoon. Just wow! The poor cast and original writer! And poor us, the audience. I feel like I got conned. What a waste of an amazing show. ??

March 2, 2016 at 2:27 AM

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After putting us through all of this, I wish they could at the very least release Jung's (both PHJ and his childhood scenes) deleted scenes so we could just find out more about Jung's character that way!!!!

February 26, 2016 at 2:28 AM

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I'm baffled how fan meeting & free hug events turned into scandals & explanatory interview within weeks...
PHJ worked scenes were cut..
SKJ worked his but off in doing extra scene is being criticised
KGE worked double hard with both guys.. all are wasted...
As a viewer I was so pissed with PHJ screen time and was wondering how he should be.. seems like he is pissed to, to the extent to give an interview with this much risk...
The one who dug hole only for PHJ.. slipped & took everyone with him..

"Success has many fathers but failure is an orphan"... i'm certain no will take responsibility for all this mess and it will end like this...

February 26, 2016 at 4:18 AM

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Come on people, do you really think Seo Kang Joon is a victim too? Wise up! He's not victim. This was part of a plan to make him lead in this drama mid way through. Hopefully, he and his team are learning a valuable lesson. The PD was working with someone to make this type of idiotic decision...to only benefit SKJ.

February 27, 2016 at 4:06 AM

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Do you have any avidences? If not then how can you blame a person for that? And what was his motive? If his high-ups/team where so powerful then why start from the mid way? They could make him a first lead, it is easier then cutting out whole story from drama

February 29, 2016 at 5:37 AM

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To Nerdy, here is a my opinion as a Korean and K-drama fan. Yes, if crews made SKJ a first lead, it is easier then cutting out whole story. But simply they can't. Because if they choose SKJ as a first lead, they can't sell CITT in China. You know well enough, PHJ has many fans in China. The K-Drama are making a lot of money by exporting their products and their biggest market is the China. So If you want to making the money by this business in Korea, first thing is casting best-known actors at home and aboard. And PHJ perfectly fit the profile but not SKH. So here we are. They casting PHJ as a first lead, because of him. CITT were sold for a good price in China, Japan, Singapore even before on-air because of him. And now? They cheat in here as like SKJ is a first lead. What a surprise, haha.

February 26, 2016 at 7:07 AM

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It's just a directorial choice in a miniseries drama, not a crime against humanity. If we want to get all worked up over something aren't there more important uses of time, energy and passion? Seriously. Look around at what's going on in the world.

It worries me that people can have so much of their personal identity tied up in their fandom of a cartoon. A cartoon. It's just not healthy.

February 26, 2016 at 9:27 AM

February 26, 2016 at 9:50 AM

Cutting scenes and changing everything, is no ok. It affects the actors, the viewers, the staff, the author, etc. And calling that PD (or whoever) on that behavior it's the right thing to do.

Aside from that, what worries me more, it is that they (the fans, and here in DB too) are adults (+20 yrs), older women, ADULTS that are so embodied with the drama that they justify and are romanticizing abusive relationships, morally and ethically wrong behavior (the stalker, the job interview, etc) just because oppa had an unhappy childhood, and he is a misunderstood guy™.

And is in this second statement that I think "Grow up, love yourself, would you -really- like to be treated that way, do you think what he does it's ok or romantic?"

February 26, 2016 at 12:10 PM

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Exactly. It's the reason I dropped the drama a few episodes in. In thought its messaging had been all kinds of wrong.

At the point that I dropped the male lead had shown significant markers that he might be a psychopath. Yet we had a supposedly smart and strong "Candy" decide to date him just because he - the cute rich guy - suddenly became interested in her. While ignoring the fact that she couldn't figure out why her former abuser had a sudden romantic interest. Then she began to dismiss her instincts that he was indeed duplicitous and not fully trustworthy. And then she started to 'obey' him when he asked her to draw back from other people she cared about. *headdesk*

Sure, there might be reasons for his behavior, that weren't revealed yet. But the point remains, they weren't revealed yet. I don't think we should accept a story that says it's good for a woman to blindly get into a relationship with an abuser. And explain it away by saying the risks are offset because she's "smart" and "strong enough to handle him."

It reminds me of this: Some experts observed that the book 50 Shades of Grey was actually a dressed-up story of pedophilia (The character's age was adjusted. Experts said the character's behavior suggested a real age of about 12 years old.) This story seems to me like a dressed-up romanticization of becoming involved with a man inclined toward emotional and psychological abuse.

Ugh. Just ugh.

I had hoped the shift in focus signaled that the drama was going to have her start making healthier decisions.

February 26, 2016 at 12:38 PM

February 26, 2016 at 7:56 PM

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Then there are the fans who did not romanticize Jung's dual nature. What we wanted was an unflinching look into what made him the way he is WITHOUT EXCUSING HIM OF CULPABILITY.

Can we not allow for this? Is it so scary that we ask for BOTH understanding and accountability? If it was a simple case of us being sorry for his boo boos and ignoring the red flags, there wouldn't be this many arguments.

Let me say it this way, some of us do not want Seol in any relationship at the end; that's not the important point. What we wanted was an honest examination of what makes a human being tick, even a grey one. Inho was white-washed, Inha was made into an often comical figure, Seol was marginalized and Jung was... left in the dark.

That's a failure. It's a reason to be upset in light of CITT's premise.

February 26, 2016 at 11:24 PM

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I wouldn't call Seol and Jung's relationship abusive though. Either way for me this story is Seol's story. As far as story telling and character development goes, two types of endings makes sense to me: 1. Seol ends up with Jung 2. Seol doesn't end up with neither Jung nor In Ho.

It doesn't make sense for her to end up with In Ho when she showed not even a hint of interest in him romantically. The story of "Cheese in the Trap" is about discovering if there is a trap, and what it really is, and that trap is obviously Jung. Having her end up with someone else that has nothing to do with the title doesn't make sense to me.

March 1, 2016 at 5:39 PM

February 26, 2016 at 9:58 AM

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I agree. At the beginning, all the web-toon's fans wanted was just look-alike actors, now they want a plot out of a cartoon which probably has several episodes. They wanted a depiction of their favorite original but the writer did not not. The script should be exactly the toon they had read and not (simultaneously!). The director was shifting directions following the original material but she shouldn't! CRAZY!!!
Everything is going out of proportion the same way it happened with Nodame Cantabile or Orange Marmalade (and my own personal "favorite" Oh, My Ghost! which it was not a cartoon but the angry comments about the two leading ladies and all the "ships" ruined a very good show). Projections and a few psychotic episodes of several fans (domestic and international) can turn series that supposed to be entertaining into HELL.
Snap out of it, people! It's just a show coming from a web-toon, nothing more, nothing less! People have serious problems while others are "dissecting" the Cheese thing.

February 26, 2016 at 10:10 AM

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Indeed, it seems a quite obvious turn of events: the writer has a loved webtoon and she consents to a drama adaptation. Then later she has to face the problem that the drama closure might give hints of the future of the webtoon. She forbids the drama producers to go that direction. Halfway shooting they have to change focus. Obviously it is not an easy task: quality might be affected, and if you want to depict a different story it makes sense that you have to change things in characters and actions, etc.

In my opinion they handled quite well a big mess (which I do not know whose fault is), in fact I am loving it.
I never read the webtoon so I am fine with everything. I guess this is why I am so driven towards In Ho's story, to me the show is still very enjoyable.
Sorry for the webtoon lovers, I know what is like to put your hopes in an adaptation and then see things go downhill. But understand that for some of us Cheese is still a very good and enjoyable show. :)

February 26, 2016 at 8:02 PM

February 26, 2016 at 11:01 AM

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Like it or not, consumption is becoming one of the most vibrant and eclectic sites of self-identification in the modern world. Add to that the idea that TV is becoming more and more recognized as an art form, and there you go. People care. How about that.

Also, people on this thread are venting and engaging in a little hyperbole...kind of like you're doing lol. Taking five minutes to rattle off an impassioned comment on Dramabeans (...a blog dedicated to drama fandom..) does not mean a) they are not critically engaged in the real world, or b) that they'd prioritize their fannish concerns over srs bsns (though really, would it ever come to that? I kind of doubt it).

February 28, 2016 at 10:01 AM

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"If we want to get all worked up over something aren’t there more important uses of time, energy and passion? Seriously. Look around at what’s going on in the world."

I'd hazard a guess, from the various people I've engaged with on the board and the information gleaned between the lines - that many here are professionals, have meaningful real-life relationships and are also doing multiple other things in their lives. I think by and large, we do what most people do - juggle a multitude of interests and tasks in life, spinning plates, and we also, when we are bothered, engage in discussions about shows we enjoy in bits of downtime we have.

Rarely, does having an interest negate the ability to be engaged in the world in multiple ways, and certainly, from the answers and analysis the contributors have given - they bring their real world experiences and expertise into the discussion Eg. on the Cheese board there are at least 3 people with healthcare and trained psychology backgrounds.

Your argument I find a little annoying to be honest, because it's that kind of relativist argument that can almost be applied to anything and in the end, means nothing. Why get upset that this one student got kicked out of school unfairly? There are worse things in the world. Why be upset when there's one homeless person on your street. There are worse things in the world. Based on no clear principle other than a constant relative comparison, one could keep shifting the goal post till it means nothing.

I'd argue for people be passionate and engaged in everything they do - whether that's in their work or their interests. I'd more likely want to work or spend time with people who can be bothered thinking about a show they like and can construct their thinking processes clearly, than someone who dismisses things unless they qualify for some self-arbitered level of relevance or significance.

Sidenote - Ironic that your handle "Gidget" is actually a portmanteau of 'girl' and 'midget' - which is linked to an old story of 'a girl with big ideas.' Note the plurality there.

February 26, 2016 at 3:30 PM

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That misrepresentation (in the short-changing of his development and backstory) of Jung and his character have some people saying people with Personality Disorders are NOT HUMAN. That's Millions and Millions upon MILLIONS of people.

Do you know what happens when people start seeing one group of people as LESS THAN HUMAN?

Yeah, Crimes against Humanity.

So thanks for your opinion but the reason we are upset about a Manwha is that it speaks to real life issues...you know, the important ones such as what makes a monster.

February 27, 2016 at 12:27 AM

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Why is it that literally every single person who makes noises like "why do you care, there are more serious problems" and looks down on the fans, cannot actually see the issue at hand and inevitably turns out to dislike Jung?

March 1, 2016 at 10:58 AM

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Just because this is a debate about a drama, you can't dismiss it just like that. People want their rights as consumer (drama audiences) respected. They can debate whatever they like (as long as they don't spread unnecessary hate). Also, what humanity are you talking about? Isn't human cheating other human a problem with our humanity too? If you don't like people debating about drama, why are you even here?

March 1, 2016 at 6:04 PM

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completely disappointed in how the drama veered off course in the last half. They should put back the scenes of Yoon Jung the producers cut out and release a new ending. this is ridiculous with no closure in the end at all. At least air one more episode so we can know even with the retarded 2nd half that Hong Seol and Yoo Jung would end up happily ever after. the excess scenes with baek in Ho and baek in ha were useless!

February 26, 2016 at 9:51 PM

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Thank you for asking that question. we do watched for our bias at certain point but if the story went south then even our bias would look stupid and if we condone it then we will be ignoramus and did not know how to appreciate art. This would be just a normal romcom if it was not for Jung. A whole different character from any other Kdrama hero that what got this drama so popular and intrigue but now it all went sour. So frustrating for a drama this good to end this way... I do not think I m able to watch the last 2 eps.

February 27, 2016 at 10:29 AM

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Personally, I am quite satisfied with Jung. With all of this, I wonder what is missing. But I guess I didn't really (I mean completly and faithfully) read the webtoon.

True enough, he didn't appear much in the last episodes but I always thought that his apparitions were made with quality. So much that, even if In-ho rises my sympathy, I never completly fall into the second role's syndrome.

I guess they could have done better but I don't think Jung was done wrongly.

February 28, 2016 at 9:45 AM

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the scene that cut out, is violating jung's character.
if it goes with the original one, we should see the development of jung's, how he end up like that, and the resolution.
now thanks to the PD, all we see,is the crazy jung.
as it confirmed, that the cut out scenes was to determined the truly character of jung , without the more scenes that explained how childhood or how jung deals furthermore.
we will all judge that jung is psychopath. that's it for all.
and i understand why PHJ show his disappointment, we all demand that PHJ can show us the real char, as we read on webtoons, but the PD cut out his scenes,that he has worked his ass HARD. so if PHJ didn't speak up now, i guess , all of us will say that he is not good enough on showing jung's character. and that's not good comment related to any actor.

i watch CIIT diligently,i rewatch it ,but the favor timeline story from eps 9,start to giving me inho, not JUNG.

all i want is seeing jung unique character development.
thanks to PD, now we will see jung as psychopath jerk.

its very different from webtoons.

and i will boycott all dramas with SKJ and PD

because i feel that the high ups, order PD to favor SKJ than PHJ,the main lead.

February 29, 2016 at 4:06 AM

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And if you guys notice, starting episode 11 PHJ looked a bit old and tired. I dont know if he has been sabotaged but he just looks different then. From ep 1 to 10 he looked great, then all of a sudden come ep 11 the feel of his presence changed!

March 2, 2016 at 3:38 AM

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Totally agree. Here is my 2 cents worth on the topic. I have been reading the recaps and avoiding watching the whole drama (just bits here and there as well as the first few episodes) precisely because I totally saw this coming what with the hype over SKJ. Honestly speaking, I am not a fan of him but he seemed to have done well in his acting for this while PHJ was, hands down without a doubt, nailed Yoo Jung from the start. There was a reason why he was name-dropped by the fans of the webtoon in the first place.

I am a big fan of the webtoon and what made it interesting was the crazy complex character of Jung. That was how they sold the show and that was how the first few episode went. Then suddenly, probably due to the SKJ hype, the writing took a turn. This is why I really hate it when dramas are not pre-produced: the writing could change depending on people's reaction. By the time they got back to Jung, people have lost faith in the show.

Yes, maybe SKJ don't deserve all this criticism and hate but this is not about him. No, it is bigger than him and his screen time: this about a veteran actor who was suppose to be leading the show, not getting the air time promised - Jung is the highlight of the show, that was what they promised from the teasers - then us getting misled as result. Along with that, they tampered with a wonderful, well-written story that an author (and tons of fans) trusted them with. Sure, the ending is "realistic", (three years later...really? I think we are beyond such cliched writing by now) but it does not take away the fact they butchered a perfectly good story with incredibly complex characters.

March 3, 2016 at 2:15 PM

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well said! just because you love the second lead doesn't mean the rest of us should suffer with a weak ending. Once this drama started, I recommended it to everyone but with the ending I feel bad. I still love this drama but if it had a better ending it would have been the one of the best korean drama.
props to park hae jin and his awesome acting <3

February 26, 2016 at 3:58 AM

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iKR! It was barely weeks ago that everyone was applauding how much of a breakthrough Cheese is for pretty much all cast members. Im just hoping no one will end up getting a depression because of this. God knows how cruel the k-entertainment industry can be

February 26, 2016 at 10:38 AM

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Me too. The actors were terrific. Moreover, even if there was "sponsorship", which is so far just a supposition, I don't imagine actors have much say in what investors and high level management does. Really, I think that it is inappropriate to direct hate at any of the actors.

February 26, 2016 at 12:44 AM

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Exactly, PHJ is risking being blacklisted and dragged through the mud (it's a very common tactic, to dig up the past 'scandals' of those who speak out) and all some people can think is 'wheeee, more pretty boy!'

February 26, 2016 at 1:00 AM

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PHJ is one actor that actually quite firm and honest in giving statements. I am afraid of what risks he is going to encounter, but i believe Knetz are more on his side. I dont think the PDnim has to be blamed, he / she still following orders from upper hands.

February 28, 2016 at 10:04 AM

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I find the development of this issue quite interesting on another level.

Yes, Korean culture, especially K-ent culture is known to be controlled and conservative. But K-culture has been knowingly and deliberately exporting itself to many countries. By doing so, it's acknowledged the power of those markets and audiences, which in a way, is arguably shifting the power of the K-ent system. Is this a sign things will start to change?

Say, if more stars gain more star power in China, will their agencies and K-ent domestic system have to acknowledge that what they give a hoot about, perhaps other people in the world don't care? Will more stars find themselves agitating for change, in that they know they have the backing of international audiences?

February 26, 2016 at 12:49 AM

February 26, 2016 at 12:58 AM

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Oh yeah. He has enough public backing I think. Not that this wasn't brave or awesome for him to speak out and clarify for people. But he's certainly got people on his side from the comments I read, which would be great if SKJ wasn't suffering from some of the backlash and having nasty things said about him.

February 26, 2016 at 1:30 AM

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You know what. I'm thinking that perhaps PHJ spoke up because he wanted to clear things for SKJ, the original writer and the drama writer. Because if it's not, arent they the ones who is going to be blamed ?? SKJ will have antis and it will effect his image in public, while the drama writer perhaps will be blacked-list by the public.

I feel pity too for PHJ, actually .. because I'm too worried about his future.

February 26, 2016 at 1:15 AM

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I actually think the writer speaking out might have given him a push. IDK. He seemed to want to do justice to her character, thought he'd done his best, then found out none of his scenes even made it into the episodes where they were crucial.

February 26, 2016 at 3:48 AM

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I am very very SAD with this development. I mean with the last 2 episodes left, I doubt there's much thing they can do to save the characters. So what if Jung and Seol have a happy ending or not, when some of the viewers still can not grasped the idea why would Seol want to spend her life with tha horrible psychopath, when there's no background to his story on why. The story was being told that the main lead has dark character, and they did not give us the importance of why he is the way he is. So many viewers have no ground to feel sympathy for his character.
The drama started as a bang, with lots of promises, and now...I am just. I do not know if I have enough strength to watch the last 2 episodes. And I have read that PHJ is always quite straight forward, but for him to speak up like this, I agree with you guys, must be very difficult for him, and I wish no one will crush his career over this.

February 27, 2016 at 12:36 AM

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because the last few eps (up to 14 now) were designed for PHJ's favors and discredited Yoo Jung's character.

I fell in love with this movie because of Jung and Seol. Up to 8th eps, the story was about misconception of Jung's character showing how he was actually good. But now he is portrayed scarier with no reason to be bad at all. which made lots of new viewers hate him while In ho's character was suddenly more sympathetic that creates more loves from new and young viewers.

I believe some one in the production team got big christmas present with a message to focus the story more on In ho's good side and vaguely create a more confusing and darker Jung. The purpose? to create a buzz for PHJ's upcoming drama on the national TV (tvN is a private tv channel like HBO). PHJ 'songs were featured on the cheese' more. He also already have some appearances lined up abroad in HK and Sin.

I feel that My feeling is being manipulated. I cant control them, but can definitely change my ratings to all drama site which what should be done if ep 14 n 15 still do not change course.

March 1, 2016 at 11:12 AM

February 26, 2016 at 3:10 AM

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Yeah shots have been well and truly fired on the side of Park Hae-jin. The drama is sorely missing those unaired scenes, you only have to look at the recap comments to see how divisive and frustrating Jung is as a figure in the absence of proper characterisation.

For the little that it's worth, PHJ's acting has been very well received even with the few scenes he's featured in.

February 26, 2016 at 6:37 AM

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Yup, that's the part that makes me really angry. The lack of proper characterization of Jung has led to a lot of divisive comments and even HATE towards people who are different. You just have to look at recent comments such as the one saying ppl with Personality Disorders are not Human, for Pete's sake! They could at least have shown us that Jung is Human.

No one could understand him. Heck, if I only saw the drama, I'd be bewildered too.

I didn't want to excuse him or have to have him end up with Seol or anything. I just wanted to get a better understanding of what made him tick. Wasn't that the major appeal of Cheese? For a lot of people?

February 26, 2016 at 6:50 AM

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YES. THIS. I get so tired of pretty faces and sprayed-on abs, I was thrilled with a darker, more complex character in the male lead rather than your standard lily-white hero (which is why I really like City Hall, too). I wanted to learn Jung's history, what made him tick, what he did what he did and how he would affect Seol and vice versa. Instead they are focusing on this InHo character that didn't even exist in the webtoon, a one-dimensional boy playing his piano and running from gangsters. This isn't what I invested 14 hours for, show.

February 26, 2016 at 1:49 PM

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Yes, me too. I loved that Jung was so flawed, and hoped to find redemption for him. The drama felt more realistic in that way and was refreshing. And one of it's early treasures was the paradigm shift - when you saw the scene from Seol's perspective, but then saw it from Jung's and it would turn the situation on it's head. For example, when Jung supposedly didn't call campus security, but it turns out that he did. I saw him in a new light, and it made for a better, more entertaining, experience.

Now though, I still can't understand Jung's actions, and he's had such minimal growth that I can't root for him. Writer's make an unspoken promise to the reader of every story. Woth CITT, the promise was of Jung's redemption and transformation and of our eventual understanding of him, but sadly, this was conpletely dropped. It's natural to feel let down because we were. And we don't have an explanation for why the director did it. Why shoot scenes and cut them?

It just makes zero sense not to finish the story you started to tell. I think that is one reason why people comment so much - me included - because it's a disappointment and there is no logical justification for it.

February 28, 2016 at 9:56 AM

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wow,me too! we are in the same ship..
i feel we need more scenes to see jung's side that still not revealed. thats annoy me the most.
i watch this , because jung dark side..
how he develops from dark to a little bright,because finally he open up to seol..
if we didn't see why jung become this dark,
we just agreed in abusive relationship.
no one understand him yet, it just like murdering his character.
i need to see that jung also have warm personality and how he deals with current situation.

if the story about inho, then like other said, change its title to " the piano trap"

February 26, 2016 at 5:16 AM

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I remember this switcheroo between main lead and second lead also happened in East of Eden, which curiously enough also starred Park Hae Jin.

Lee Da Hae was supposed to be the lead actress but ended up with the short end of the stick. Similar concerns were repeatedly brought up by LDH's fans. That the story was veering away from what was teased when she got offered the role. That she was getting fewer and fewer screen time to a point where there was an episode where she appeared just to pet a dog. The rumors escalated to people saying that Lee Yeon Hee was Song Seung Hoon's GF, hence she was getting the special treatment. There were also rumors of off-cam arguments and chair throwing. I admit I am LDH's fan. I've always felt that East of Eden could have catapulted her to A-list status. The character on paper was so promising. She delivered her scenes with fire in her eyes given the little screen time and story line devoted for her character. In the end, she opted out of the drama, choosing to leave ahead of the drama's conclusion. I defended her like the rabid fan that I was. But, sadly, she got the brunt of the hate and was even labeled as unprofessional.

I really feel bad for PHJ for being screwed over like this. I am watching CITT. I loved the earlier episodes so much that I even started reading the webtoon. However, midway into the webtoon, I stopped reading because I get frustrated whenever the drama veers away with how it was supposed to happen in the webtoon. My mind always go "but, that's not it..." I felt that the webtoon was keeping me from enjoying the drama, when in fact it was probably the faulty writing/directing/editing of the drama which slowly fell out of my expectations. My apprehensions were exactly what PHJ is frustrated about - that Jung's character was being shown in a different light than it was in the webtoon. Jung's intentions and where he was coming from was hardly explained.

In any case, I will still keep watching CITT. I hope the remaining episodes will be able to pull it through.

February 26, 2016 at 6:51 AM

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Me too! Episodes 1-8 were perfection and made me do a lot of things I never did with other dramas before like I downloaded the OST(!!), search for BTS, looked up actors' past projects and started watching them because I love them so much!!

Now, this show has left a very bitter taste and instead of looking forward to cherishing the last few episodes, I just want to get them over it so I can be mad over what could have been. Thanks, show, for the memory ????

February 26, 2016 at 11:11 AM

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I think there are a few posts here in DB about East of Eden and all the production problems. Occasionally there are dramas with much "drama" behind the walls such as Faith (the PD committed suicide), Playful Kiss, The Great Seer etc. That's why we shouldn't invest on TV projects...

February 26, 2016 at 8:14 AM

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I don't know how people can just do that - shut their brain off completely. Frankly, I would feel manipulated.

It's like a store that purposely puts something they want to sell in front of your face and you buy it, but you don't even realize that you have been strategically manipulated to accept the product, or in this case, SKJ's In Ho in Cheese.

Then when you find out their strategy, you're not even bothered by it? Well, everyone to their own. I personally don't like when ppl try to manipulate my feelings or choices.

February 26, 2016 at 12:03 AM

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the good thing about this interview, at least the way I interpret it, is that it sounded more of an explanation rather than a complaint. I also think his agency wouldn't give him the go-ahead signal to speak out if it would damage his reputation.

It's really a pity, since PHJ wasn't adamant in taking on this role. I read that he had doubts that he was too old to play the character. I guess he "fell in love" with the role's complexity after reading the webtoon. I wonder though if he came into disagreements with the PD during filming. it seems that PHJ had visualized the character differently, while the PD has a mind of her own.

lastly, I do feel that actors need to speak up more, although in a very professional manner. and with this interview, I thought that PHJ was quite professional (at least from the tone that DB translated his interview.)

February 26, 2016 at 6:55 AM

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The fact that he is speaking out like this means the reality is much, much worse; Korean stars usually whitewash everything for fear of backlash. You need to make nice and be a team player, after all.
How horrible for him, to work so hard on a part: learn all he could about the character, promote the show everywhere, put everything into his scenes, and then have all his work thrown out, scenes re-shot with someone with less experience, less talent, who couldn't even be bothered to read the source material beforehand.

February 26, 2016 at 12:18 AM

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Yep. This is not a good situation for anyone involved. PHJ gets screwed over by having his scenes cut, but so does Seo Kang Joon by having to replace him. He's getting hate for something he has no control over. It's not even like he actually say no to filming whatever the PD tells him to film. That would not only get him hate, but could jeopardize his career. He's in a no win situation.

February 26, 2016 at 1:15 AM

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You know what, perhaps PHJ spoke up for the sake of SKJ too, as well as the original writer and the drama writer. If the condition is not cleared, then arent they the one to be blamed? But if PHJ speaks up, then he is endangering his own future. Sigh..

February 26, 2016 at 6:31 AM

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Exactly! I wish the public can think like this instead of just pinning on the blame on SKJ. He didn't ask for more scenes, so he was just following orders. So, it just sucks for everybody involved right now.

February 26, 2016 at 12:21 AM

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Although it's not clear what exactly happened, at this point (from what we've heard) I can only feel bad for Seo Kang Joon too – lots of screen time might seem like a good thing, but it can be a bad thing, particularly if it's something he didn't ask for and then has to bear the consequences of when there's a mess like this.

Shippers – unable to see what the bigger picture – get too nasty and start blaming/personally attacking the actors, who probably both had zero control over what was happening.

February 26, 2016 at 6:55 AM

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Agreed. I think asking who's the direct benefactor is a fair start to understand why they made this decision because I am baffled as why they made such an OBVIOUS AND STRANGE PATH!! Did they really not think people would notice that the lead is essentially gone from 4 consecutive episodes?!?!?

February 26, 2016 at 1:34 AM

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Yes thats right I felt bad too bcause everyone supect him for no reason. He got hating and accuse had a sponsor. He really started from bottom, the only sponsor he have just his agency who trained and raise him. I didnt know why the Production team keep silent and let netter have own thought and speculation.

February 26, 2016 at 1:43 AM

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@Silkie, the lead character IS supposed to be creepy. So many fans of the original webtoon rejoiced when PHJ was offered the role because he could pull off the duality of Yoo Jung.

Also, the manga's BIH isn't as sunny and cheery as his drama counterpart. I've read some complaints but I personally didn't mind until it became apparent that the show is favoring some actors and shafting others.

February 26, 2016 at 7:42 AM

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Just because you start of broke af doesn't mean you can't get sponsors down the line. Not saying that SKJ did but to say you know for sure he can't because he started from the bottom is incongruous. Because almost everyone who got sponsors started out from below.

February 26, 2016 at 8:19 AM

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Yea I agree. It's a pretty difficult situation because most actors aren't informed if they have sponsors or what those sponsors are doing. I'm on the fence over whether he has a sponsor or not but in most cases the actors have no control over this and may reap in the early benefits but will have to face the backlash soon after. He may not even want this but the fact of the matter is that he is the face of the sponsor rumors and he will receive the hate that comes with it even if he couldn't dictate what happened.

February 26, 2016 at 8:26 AM

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I completely concur. Sometimes fans just can not think logically.

However, I do think this may be a situation of TVN's corporate cultural influence rather than SKJ's "sponsor" rumors. Look at TVN's Reply series, which cemented the stations reputation to lead young, fresh, new talents to the spotlight. It's almost become TVN's trademark to churn out newbies into hit stars.

Perhaps, this is a case of the station trying to maintain their "new star churn out status." SKJ is that young, fresh star. PHJ was begged to star b/c they needed his talents and manhwa fan support. Seriously, if TVN wanted to promote someone, of course, they'd choose the fresh newbie - b/c then they get all the credit for bringing a new talent to stardom.

Who would want to bring an "old" actor of the cast to stardom? I also have to mention the immensely inane ageism in S. Korea entertainment.

February 26, 2016 at 2:44 AM

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Especially they just had cover the sponsorship issue in entertainment industry and several actors speaking against it. So, just saying more screen time for SKJ is not understanding the implication of knets start accusing him of having a sponsor. This could hurt his career as much as hurting PHJ career for speaking up tbh~

February 26, 2016 at 12:26 AM

February 26, 2016 at 1:09 AM

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It's up to you if you like or dislike the lead, but if all you took away from PHJ's acting as Yoo Jung is that he's not expressive and wooden just goes to show that you've no idea what the character and story's about at all.

February 26, 2016 at 1:47 AM

February 26, 2016 at 6:56 AM

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I know! I for one was so very impressed with PHJ. It's easier to act out a hot headed character, or a nice guy. But portraying a poker faced, cold creature and still managing to make the character sympathetic takes a great deal of talent.

February 26, 2016 at 9:32 AM

February 26, 2016 at 4:01 AM

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Are we even watching the same drama? SKJ's acting has improved form his other roles but he is still mediocre at best in this drama. There is no depth in his acting.

On the other hand, PHJ, whom I've only watched in Man from the Stars prior to this and thought his acting as one dimensional, has been amazing in showing the nuances of his character. The subtle changes in facial expressions and vocal inflection he uses to convey emotion has been nothing but superb. I am surprised of his ability as I didn't know he could act this good!

Just look at the fighting scene they had in the playground. PHJ demonstrated an array of emotion in between his punches making SKJ look like a student in a high school play.

February 27, 2016 at 11:40 AM

February 29, 2016 at 6:55 AM

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PHJ did an amazing job, even with most of his scenes being cut off. I like In Ho, but his character doesn't appeal to me anymore, I find him kind of boring, but Jung only makes me wait for his scenes, his intelligence, the way he changes expressions, he may be smiling, but his eyes tell a different story. I only watched PHJ in Man from the Stars, the drama nor the characters/actors did anything for me, but PHJ did such an amazing job in CITT that I want more of him now.

February 27, 2016 at 11:56 PM

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LOL! Seriously? And this coming from someone who wasn't too crazy about his character in Bad Guys, but I can never deny his acting skills. It's specially showcased here in CitT. I'm moment he's cold, the other murderous, then he can give such a genuine smile, and at times appear like an innocent little kid. Those facial expressions that replace a thousand words are what we call skills. His character isn't loud, but subtle in everything he does, but his head is going through a lot, and the actor manages to portray all that perfectly.

You can call him a lot of things but you CAN'T call his acting wodden.

February 26, 2016 at 4:12 AM

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I'm glad you love it because before this scandal became public knowledge, I was absolutely sick of seeing In Ho to the point I never wanted to see another drama with Seo Kang Joon. It leaves little doubt that his backers are behind this despicable act. They will learn that what goes around, comes around. They have only made SKJ hated due to their greed and selfishness in trying to make viewers watch Seo Kang Joon.

February 26, 2016 at 6:59 AM

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Same here. I find the part of InHo is really simplistic, Seo Kang Joon is doing an OK job but really it's not a particularly nuanced or difficult character to portray. He's really rather stunted, still a teenager with his spurts of violence, his magical thinking, his inability to take full responsibility for his own problems. Watching him play the piano for the umpteenth time, I just can't figure out what this drama is supposed to be about, any more. I just know it's boring.

February 28, 2016 at 12:03 AM

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His inability to take full responsibility is what makes him the worst choice for Seol, because she's responsible. Someone like him will end up leaving all the responsibility on her, and burden her more as things come in life. Having an ending where she ends with Jung, or where she breaks up with Jung are all possibilities I can accept, but having an ending where she ends up with In Ho would be the worst. I love Seol too much.

I don't dislike his character, I actually like him, I love his and Seol's friendship and his relationship with her family, but anything more would be nonsense.

February 26, 2016 at 10:47 PM

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Because he is not THAT good to bring in viewers? Because he could not sell the drama to other countries at a good price? Because they have to find a way to promote him in other ways, like using PHJ's talent and fame?

February 27, 2016 at 3:28 AM

February 27, 2016 at 3:30 AM

February 27, 2016 at 4:20 AM

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Then why did they lose whole nine episodes on PHJ? Why start promoting SKJ mid way?
Get some evidences because now he is one of the victims.
Oh, and watch Triple, same thing happened with SJK and he was in supporting cast

February 28, 2016 at 10:10 AM

I think it's you guys that have been outrageously rude here, asking someone to shut up because they article an opinion you find disagreeable and making your attacks impersonal.

I have nothing against the actor who portrayed In-Ho but it does ask for consideration why they would choose a vehicle that's not built to do what they seem to want it to do, which is to make SJK the central focus.

If the aim is to grow the profile and audience for SJK, why do it amid so much controversy, so much damage to the original source material, and contravening the relationship with the other actor? It doesn't seem a clever, well-calculated move.

February 26, 2016 at 4:30 AM

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Something did feel off with the show and the mood and the visuals that I enjoyed so much in the first half of the show was lacking in the second half. I think I was hoping for the best but definitely missed the sweet moments with Soel and Jung which sucked me into this show. Now I know why. I hope the show can redeem itself with the 2 shows remaking and bring it back to our 2 main characters. On a side note, it make sense that we would see previews that never materialized in the show!

February 26, 2016 at 5:02 AM

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I am also enjoying it and love it. Fans of any sort of adaptation, whether it's book to movie, webtoon to drama, Japanese version to Korean version, etc., need to accept that things may be different from the original. It's a drama for goodness sake--not a life and death matter. I'd politely suggest these folks who are angered to go write fan fiction or something. At the end of the day, the decisions about the drama are up to the creators of it. Until you are behind that lens directing or sitting there writing a script, you don't know what is going through the director's mind or the script writer's mind. Chill out and just let the drama play out as it will. Otherwise, just stop watching. It's as easy as that.

February 26, 2016 at 7:06 AM

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By your logic, we should never criticize any show and hold none to any standards and just all enjoy the ride? Like, during the last episode, let's have Seol picking neither boy because, surprise, she's act